Laura Lee (Kassabian) McKean

Gales Ferry -- Laura “Lee” McKean passed away peacefully, beloved husband by her side on April 25th, 2024.

She was born March 20th, 1939 in Meriden, Connecticut to Mary A. Vega and John W. Kassabian. “Lee” as she was known to friends, graduated from Hollywood High School in 1957. In 1960 she married John F. McKean, with stints spent living on both coasts while serving in the coast guard. The couple settled in Gales Ferry in 1972 with their two boys.

Laura spent time working in the dog breeding and showing arena. Her passion was Pulis, Hungarian Sheepdogs; the business took her to Hungary in search of breeding stock, and all over the Unites States to dog shows winning several Best in Breed awards.

Laura also obtained her real estate license. She spent many years buying, renovating, renting and “flipping” houses in Gales Ferry, Ledyard, and the surrounding area. Her experience traveling led her to purchase a van and then an RV in which she traveled up and down the eastern seaboard. She kept a house on the Canadian island of Grand Manan for many years.

In 2005 Laura married Larry Gorham of Gales Ferry. They spent many happy years traveling: to Europe, the Caribbean, Grand Manan, visiting with friends, taking afternoon drives through Pachaug forest, and watching the wildlife on their pond. 

Laura was known for her sense of humor, a positive outlook, her talent for interior design, and her kindness. She loved to tell a joke and make someone smile; and she was always willing to help someone if she could. She cared about all the wild animals of nature, at one point keeping a rescued skunk as a pet. She loved to feed the birds, racoons, geese, and deer, and did her best even to not harm any insects. She was a loving mother, wife, and friend.

Laura was predeceased by her first husband John T. McKean. She leaves behind her 2nd husband, Lawrence M Gorham; sons Jack and Mike McKean; daughter-in-law Carla and granddaughter Sandrini McKean, of Tampa, Florida; stepchildren Laurie Gorham of Gales Ferry and Eric (and Julia) Gorham of Norwich.

Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home www.gagnefuneralhome.com is handling arrangements. A Celebration of Life will take place 11:00AM on June 22, 2024 at All Souls Unitarian Church, New London, CT. 

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